St Blane’s Primary partnership with HCPT charity reaps great rewards

A Catholic primary school has benefited from a unique partnership with a charity that has enabled 30 children to travel to Lourdes on pilgrimage over the last seven years.

The collaboration between St Blane’s Primary School in Summerston Glasgow and HCPT (Hosana House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust) has helped children who either have difficulties in their lives or trouble at home.

Last week the inner city school celebrated their special connection to HCPT Group 116, who are based in Glasgow by holding a tea party fundraiser.

The afternoon was a resounding success with over 130 parents and staff attending the tea party, not only to hear the school choir sing some wonderful songs but listen to Chris Glancey, group leader of 116, deliver a talk about the ongoing success.

Mr Glancey, who has been group leader for the past seven years said: “As a group we are very grateful to the school, children and families of St Blane’s primary.

“Not only have they helped with fundraising for the children’s fare’s to Lourdes, but they’ve also nominated 30 children who benefitted immensely from a week’s pilgrimage to the South of France.

“It was quite humbling to speak in front of some of the parents who we have helped indirectly and hopefully some that we’ll continue to work with as our partnership continues.

“While we’re in Lourdes during the Easter week we have a unique opportunity to give some of these children the best holiday they’ll ever have and that’s a real privilege as helpers.

“We are taking another four children from the school in 2019 and some of the parents are already organising a fundraiser in January, which is fantastic, their support is vital.”

The afternoon at St Blane’s ended with a jaw-dropping performance by the P7 school choir, who sang and danced to Blinded by your Grace by Stormzy.

The tea party raised £650 to help Group 116 take children to Lourdes during Easter week 2019.

The partnership was established after a teacher from St Blane’s saw the work Group 116 did during their Easter week in Lourdes.

Aisling Gallanagh, a teacher at St Blane’s, believed the school would benefit from a partnership that helped all areas of the school, pupils and families obtain a closer connection with Catholic social teaching.

Ms Gallanagh said: “We feel it supports our families and children in helping to create a real Catholic ethos and community within our school.

“Over the last seven years our families have become more involved in the school events when we hold fundraisers for HCPT there is always an abundance of parents asking what they can do to help.”

Ms Gallanagh added: “The turnout for the tea party was immense.”

The proudest moment for the school’s partnership is about to happen and Ms Gallanagh believes it is creating a positive experience.

“One of our children who has travelled with 116 for a number of years is now preparing to travel out in 2019 as a young helper himself and that really is the biggest achievement for the school in this partnership.

“We are so proud of him not only has he benefitted from going to Lourdes but his siblings and his family have reaped the rewards too.

“Group 116 provide the children with so much fun in Lourdes and also have those moments of spiritual development which bring them closer to the Catholic Faith.

“I should add our chaplain and local parish priest Fr Jim Lawlor of Immaculate Conception Church, Maryhill is brilliant in allowing us to fundraise in the parish for the school too.

“Over the last seven years St Blane’s has helped raise over £14,000, which for an area that has pockets of serious deprivation is a fantastic achievement.”